Document optimization using solid monochrome colors and outlining

ABSTRACT

Methods of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/179,859 to Michael Noel, filed on Jul. 25, 2008 and titled“Document Optimization Using Solid Monochrome Colors and Outlining,”which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/162,379 toMichael Noel, filed on Sep. 8, 2005 and titled “Document Color andShades of Gray Optimization Using Solid Monochrome Colors.”

This application also relates to the following issued and copending U.S.patent applications: Ser. No. 11/162,382 to Michael Noel, filed on Sep.8, 2005 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,502,135 on Mar. 10, 2009, Ser. No.11/162,385 to Michael Noel, filed on Sep. 8, 2005, Ser. No. 11/162,390to Michael Noel, filed on Sep. 8, 2005, Ser. No. 12/179,886 to MichaelNoel, filed on Jul. 25, 2008, Ser. No. 12/180,038 to Michael Noel, filedon Jul. 25, 2008, Ser. No. 12/209,038 to Michael Noel, filed on Sep. 11,2008.

The subject matter of all patent applications is commonly owned andassigned to The Go Daddy Group, Inc. All prior applications areincorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to methods, apparatus,software, and systems for document color optimization and in particularto color optimization for Internet facsimile (fax) technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Facsimile (or fax) technology is one of the most widely used forms ofcommunication between companies and individuals. Notwithstanding thecontinuous growth of the popularity of email communications, the faxstill holds a strong position as a reliable means of communication. Itis presently estimated that more companies in the world have a faxnumber than an email address.

Among the advantages of fax communications are immediate delivery ofdocuments, ability to transmit graphical documents, interoperability offax devices throughout the world, improved security over email, and easyto use.

Traditional fax technology utilizes Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), also called Global Switched Telephone Network (GSTN), totransfer data between fax devices. Traditional fax devices comply with avariety of protocols, among which are: T.4—“Standardization of Group 3Facsimile Apparatus for Document Transmission”, ITU-T (CCITT), July1996; T.6—“Facsimile Coding Schemes and Coding Control Functions forGroup 4 Facsimile Apparatus”, ITU-T (CCITT), November 1988; andT.30—“Procedures for Document Facsimile Transmission in the GeneralSwitched Telephone Network”, ITU-T (CCITT), July 1996; all are herebyincorporated in their entirety by reference.

Internet Fax (I-Fax) is a term used to describe extensions of thetraditional fax technology that allow the use of the Internet for faxtransmission. Examples of I-Fax are fax-over-IP and fax-through-email.Among the standards recommended for use in I-Fax are: T.37—“Proceduresfor the transfer of facsimile data via store-and-forward on theInternet”, ITU-T (CCITT), June 1998; T.38—“Procedures for real-timeGroup 3 facsimile communication over IP networks”, ITU-T (CCITT), 1998;F.185—“Internet facsimile: Guidelines for the support of thecommunication of facsimile documents”, ITU-T (CCITT), 1998; RFC2301—“File Format for Internet Fax”, IETF, March 1998; RFC 2302—“TagImage File Format (TIFF)-image/tiff MIME Sub-type Registration”, IETF,March 1998; RFC 3191—“Minimal GSTN address format in Internet Mail”,IETF, October 2001 (obsoletes RFC 2303, March 1998; updates RFC 2846,June 2000); RFC 3192—“Minimal FAX address format in Internet Mail”,IETF, October 2001 (obsoletes RFC 2304, March 1998; updates RFC 2846,June 2000); RFC 3965—“A Simple Mode of Facsimile Using Internet Mail”,IETF, December 2004 (obsoletes RFC 2305, March 1998); RFC 2306—“TagImage File Format (TIFF)-F Profile for Facsimile”, IETF, March 1998; RFC2542—“Terminology and Goals for Internet Fax”, IETF, March 1999; and RFC3297—“Content Negotiation for Messaging Services based on Email”, IETF,July 2002; all are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

Advanced capabilities of Internet Fax, such as color fax transmissions,are described, inter alia, in RFC 2531—“Content Feature Schema forInternet Fax”, IETF, March 1999 and RFC 2532—“Extended Facsimile UsingInternet Mail”, IETF, March 1999; all are hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference.

In a conventional fax-through-email system, a fax service providerreceives a fax transmission over the PSTN, converts the received faxtransmission to a computer-readable file, e.g. TIFF or PDF (PortableDocument Format), and forwards the file to the intended fax recipientvia email. If a user sends a fax, the user provides document(s) to befaxed to the fax service provider via email, website, or software. Thedocuments typically are computer-readable files. The fax serviceprovider converts the document(s) to a faxable format (typically 1-bitblack and white images), and transmits them to the recipient over thePSTN.

Presently, the majority of fax devices only support transmission of1-bit black and white (monochrome) images. Thus, black and white faxesconstitute the vast majority of all faxes transmitted. If the user'sfiles to be faxed contain colors or shades of gray (hereinafter, theterm color includes shades of gray), the colors will be typicallyconverted to 1-bit black and white for compatibility with the majorityof fax devices. At present, colors are either converted to black ordithered. Dithering is a method of simulating colors by producing blackdots/pixels to represent brightness of the original color (similar tohalftoning in newspaper photographs). Dithering will transform lightcolors to fewer dots with larger distances between them. The darkercolors will be represented by more dots positioned closer to each other(additionally the size of the dots may be increased).

Various algorithms have been developed to produce a dithered image thatmore closely resembles the original image. Among them are errordiffusion (dispersion, distribution) algorithms, which dither the imageby diffusing the quantization error of a pixel to its neighboring pixels(e.g. the Floyd-Steinberg dithering algorithm).

Various colors with the same or similar brightness may look the sameafter dithering. Referring to FIG. 1, three elements of document Ahaving various colors (represented by different line patterns) may lookvirtually undistinguishable after dithering in document B. Similarly, afax document with a colored text on a colored background may becomeunreadable if the brightness of the text color is similar to thebrightness of the background color (FIGS. 6 and 7).

Therefore, new methods, apparatus, software, and systems are needed toprovide document optimization prior to their conversion to black andwhite. Additionally, new methods, apparatus, software, and systems areneeded to provide document optimization for use in fax technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The limitations cited above and others are substantially overcomethrough the methods, apparatus, software, and systems disclosed herein.The methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present inventionallow for document optimization prior to its conversion to black andwhite.

A sample embodiment of the invention discloses a method that determinesthe presence of color and/or shades of gray elements in the document.The method further replaces some of the color and/or shades of grayelements with black or white.

Alternatively, the method replaces color elements with dithered surfacesof intensity greater or lesser than the intensity of the original color.

Alternatively, the method replaces color elements with monochromepatterns.

Alternatively, the method outlines some color elements in the document.

Further, the method may combine color replacement with outlining of somecolor elements.

Additionally, if the color optimization is performed on a document to befaxed, the method may comprise the steps of obtaining the document fromthe sender, optimizing the document, converting the document to afax-compliant format, and sending the document.

Further, apparatus, software, and systems are provided for use with thedescribed methods.

The above features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating conventional dithering. The elementshaving various colors in Document A (the colors are represented byvarious patterns in the drawing) may become indistinguishable afterconventional dithering in Document B if the intensity (brightness) ofthe original colors are similar.

FIG. 2 illustrates color optimization, where some colors of Document Amay be replaced with solid black or white colors in Document B.

FIG. 3 illustrates dithering with color optimization, where some colorsof Document A may be replaced with the dithered surfaces of greater orlesser intensity than the original colors.

FIG. 4 illustrates dithering with outlining of the color elements and nocolor optimization.

FIG. 5 illustrates dithering with color optimization, where some colorsof Document A may be replaced with the dithered surfaces of greater orlesser intensity than the original colors and color elements may beoutlined.

FIG. 6 illustrates an original document (before dithering, coloroptimization, or outlining) comprising color text on a color background(the text color is represented by horizontal lines pattern and thebackground color is represented by vertical lines pattern).

FIG. 7 illustrates a document after conventional dithering. The textbecomes unreadable if the colors of the text and background are the sameor similar intensity.

FIG. 8 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the text color was replaced with a solid black color.

FIG. 9 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the text color was replaced with a solid white color.

FIG. 10 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the text color was dithered with intensity greater than theintensity of the color in the original document.

FIG. 11 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the text color was dithered with intensity lesser than theintensity of the color in the original document.

FIG. 12 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the background color was replaced with a solid black color.

FIG. 13 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimization,where the background color was replaced with a solid white color.

FIG. 14 illustrates a document after dithering with outlining, where thetext color was outlined.

FIG. 15 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimizationand outlining, where the text color was replaced with a solid whitecolor and outlined.

FIG. 16 illustrates a document after color optimization, where thecolors were replaced with monochrome patterns.

FIG. 17 illustrates a document after dithering with color optimizationand outlining, where the background color was replaced with a monochromepattern and the text was outlined with interrupted (dashed) lines.

FIG. 18 illustrates a document after dithering and outlining, the darktext was outlined with a white color line to make it distinguishablefrom the dark background.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for color optimization by replacing originalcolors with solid monochrome colors.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for color optimization by dithering originalcolors with surfaces of greater or lesser intensity.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for comparing intensity of original colors andoutlining document elements of lower intensity.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for comparing surface area of original colors andoutlining document elements of smaller surface area.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for identifying enclosed (surrounded) elements inthe document and outlining them.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for identifying text and background elements inthe document and outlining text elements.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a sample embodiment of the method ofthe present invention for sending a fax document with color optimizationand outlining of document elements.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a sample embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a sample embodiment of thesystem utilizing the apparatus of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a sample embodiment of thesoftware of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a sample embodiment of thesystem utilizing the software of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be discussed in detail with regard to theattached drawing figures which were briefly described above. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are set forthillustrating the Applicant's best mode for practicing the invention andenabling one of ordinary skill in the art of making and using theinvention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without many of these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known machines and method steps havenot been described in particular detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, like partsand method steps are referred to with like reference numerals.

For the purposes of this application a monochrome document (or adocument in a monochrome format) is a document where color depth equalsone. It can be a black and white document, where white is the backgroundcolor and black is fore color, or any other combination of colors, e.g.monochrome document of blue on red background.

For the purposes of this application a black and white document meansany monochrome document. Thus, the colors black and white may bereplaced with any other color combination. Additionally, terms forecolor (e.g. black) and background color (e.g. white) may be used.

For the purposes of this application the term color includes shades ofgray.

Intensity of the color may be characterized through its brightness. E.g.the intensity of the color black may be assigned a value of 0 (or 0%)and the intensity of the color white may be assigned a value 1 (or100%). Intensity of the color, represented through RGB (red, green, andblue) channels, may be calculated as:

$I = \frac{\frac{R}{R_{Max}} + \frac{G}{G_{Max}} + \frac{B}{B_{Max}}}{3}$

Alternatively, intensity of the color may be characterized through thedarkness of the color (reciprocal value of the above formula).

If the color is represented through HSB (hue, saturation, andbrightness) channels, the brightness value may be used.

The intensity of the dithered surface may be characterized through itsdarkness, e.g. intensity of the dithered area fully covered in black maybe assigned a value of 1 (or 100%) and the intensity of area withoutcolor may be assigned a value 0 (or 0%). Intensity of the ditheredsurface may be calculated as the surface area covered by the color blackdivided by the total area of the dithered surface. The intensity formonochrome patterns may be similarly calculated.

Alternatively, intensity of the dithered surface may be characterizedthrough its brightness and calculated as surface area not covered byfore color divided by the total area of the dithered surface.

In the following examples, when intensity of an original color iscompared to intensity of a dithered surface or a monochrome pattern, theintensities are calculated based on darkness.

The methods of the present invention provide for distortion of theoriginal documents (inter alia images) by replacing original colors withmonochrome solid colors, monochrome dithered surfaces, or monochromepatterns, where dithered surfaces and monochrome patterns may haveintensity equal or different from the intensity of the original colors.Further, the methods provide for outlining of some colors or somedocument elements.

FIGS. 2-5 and 8-18 demonstrate various sample results of coloroptimization and outlining achieved by the methods disclosed in thepresent invention. FIG. 2 demonstrates a replacement of some colorelements of the original document with solid colors (black and/orwhite). Without the color optimization, the elements would beindistinguishable as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the element replaced witha solid white color in FIG. 2 is outlined with a solid black line tomark the boundaries of the element on the white background.

FIG. 3 illustrates a color optimization using dithered surfaces, wherethe optimized dithered surfaces have an intensity different from theintensity of the original color. FIG. 4 demonstrates dithering with theintensity correlated (same or similar) to the intensity of the originalcolor, and where the elements of the document are outlined. FIG. 5demonstrates color optimization using dithered surfaces with outliningof some or all document elements. Some elements optimized using ditheredsurfaces have intensities different from the intensities of the originalcolors.

FIG. 6 represents an original document having colored text (depicted bya pattern of horizontal lines) on the colored background (depicted byvertical lines pattern). FIG. 7 demonstrates the result of aconventional color transformation using dithering to a monochromedocument. Because the intensities of the text and background colors arethe same or similar, the text becomes unreadable in the resultingdocument. FIG. 8 represents a result of color optimization anddithering. The text color was replaced with the solid black color.Similarly, referring to FIG. 9 the text color was replaced with thesolid white color. Alternatively, the text color may be replaced with adithered surface of intensity, which is greater or lesser (i.e. darkeror lighter) than the intensity of the color in the original document(FIGS. 10 and 11).

Further, the background color may be replaced with a solid color, e.g.black color in FIG. 12 and white color in FIG. 13.

Alternatively, the text may be outlined as shown in FIG. 14 or outlinedand replaced with a solid color (e.g. white) as shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 illustrates a color optimization using monochrome patterns. Theresulting patterns may have an intensity equal to or different from theintensity of the original colors. In FIG. 17 the background color wasreplaced with a monochrome pattern and the text was outlined withinterrupted (dashed) lines. FIG. 18 illustrates a choice of white colorfor outlining the text in the document in the case of dark text on adark background.

A sample method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 19. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). The document maybe a computer file, e.g. a text computer file (Microsoft Word,WordPerfect, PDF, etc.) or a graphical file (BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG,etc.). The document may be comprised of various elements. A textdocument may be comprised of elements such as text, graphics, objects,background, etc. A graphical document may be comprised of elementsrepresented by areas of different colors and background.

If there are no color elements (Step 1910), then the method may beterminated. Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may bedetermined (Step 1915). If the color element(s) are not in closeproximity to any other element(s) (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950.The close proximity may be determined based on a predefined value, e.g.if the distance between the color element and any other element is lessthan 3 pixels (or 2 mm, etc.), then the color element is in closeproximity. If the color elements are not in close proximity, it is notlikely that a person viewing the document after its conversion tomonochrome would perceive those elements as a single element of the samecolor.

If the color element(s) are in close proximity (Step 1920), then theintensity of the color element(s) in the document may be determined(Step 1925). The intensity of monochrome elements is known (e.g. theelements of black color have maximum intensity and the elements of whitecolor have minimum intensity). The intensity of the color element(s) maybe compared with the intensity of any other element (Step 1930). If theintensity is not the same or similar (Step 1935), then continue at Step1950. The similarity of intensity may be characterized by apredetermined threshold value, e.g. if the difference between intensityof two elements is less than 5%, then the intensity may be consideredsimilar.

If elements of the same or similar intensity are in close proximity toany other element, then the elements of higher intensity may be replacedwith a solid fore color (e.g. black) (Step 1940). Alternatively and/oradditionally, the elements of lower intensity may be replaced with abackground color (e.g. white) (Step 1945). Thus, closely locatedelements of similar intensity will become distinguishable in theresulting monochrome document (e.g. a light color element on the whitebackground may be changed to the color black to make it more visible inthe resulting monochrome document).

Alternatively, the elements of higher intensity may be replaced with asolid background color (e.g. white) and/or the elements of lowerintensity may be replaced with a solid fore color (e.g. black). However,this may distort the document more than the color optimization describedin Steps 1940 and 1945.

If the elements are of the same intensity, they (or one, or some ofthem) may be replaced with solid colors randomly or based on theadditional rules.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be replaced with a solid monochrome color.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

Examples of the documents that could be created using the describedmethod are shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9, 12, and 13. In FIG. 2 two coloredelements of the original document were replaced with solid monochromecolors (black and white), the third element was dithered usingconventional methods. In FIG. 8 the colored text was replaced with thesolid black color. In FIG. 9 the colored text was replaced with thesolid white color. In FIG. 12 the colored background was replaced withthe solid black color. In FIG. 13 the colored background was replacedwith the solid white color.

Another sample method of the present invention may include the followingsteps. Open a document in Open Office. Open Office is a multi-platformopen-source office suite. Iterate through all the text in the document,one character at a time. For each character: a) query Open Office forthe color property, b) convert the color to HSB (Hue, Saturation,Brightness) encoding, c) if the brightness is less than 0.90 (or anyother predetermined value), then change the color of the character toblack, d) else, leave the character as is. Save and close the documentin Open Office. Alternatively and/or additionally, the brightness may becompared to a predetermined interval (e.g. 0 to 0.9, 0.2 to 0.3, 0.7 to1, etc.) or any combination of intervals.

Example of a programming code that may be used with the described methodis shown below.

private static void doFontColorCorrection(XTextDocument xTextDocument) {XText xText = xTextDocument.getText( ); XEnumeration xParagraphs;XEnumeration xTextPortions; int paragraphs = 0; double colorThreshold =ConfigHelper.getDoubleValue(“Fax2Email”, “DocumentConversionService”,“fccThreshold”); if (colorThreshold == Double.MIN_VALUE) {colorThreshold = 0.70; }  log.debug(“fccThreshold = “ + colorThreshold);xParagraphs = getXEnumeration(xText); if (xParagraphs == null) {log.debug(“xParagraphs is null -- no paragraphs?”); return; } try {while (xParagraphs.hasMoreElements( )) { xTextPortions =getXEnumeration(xParagraphs.nextElement( )); if (xTextPortions == null){ log.debug(“xTextPortions is null -- no text portions in thisparagraph?”); } else { while (xTextPortions.hasMoreElements( )) {paragraphs++; XPropertySet xTextPortionProps = (XpropertySet)UnoRuntime.queryInterface(XPropertySet.class, xTextPortions.nextElement( )); Object textPortionColorObj =xTextPortionProps.getPropertyValue(“CharColor”); if(textPortionColorObj.getClass( ) == Integer.class) { Color cc = newColor(((Integer) textPortionColorObj).intValue( )); double whiteness =calculateWhiteness(cc); if (whiteness < colorThreshold) {log.debug(“Setting color to black”);xTextPortionProps.setPropertyValue(“CharColor”, new Integer(0)); } } } }} } catch (Throwable thrown) { log.debug(“Caught an error doing fontcolor correction.”, thrown); } log.debug(“This document has “ +paragraphs + “ total text portions”); }

Another sample method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 20. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). If there are nocolor elements (Step 1910), then the method may be terminated.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined (Step1915). If the color elements are not in close proximity to any otherelement (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the color elements arein close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of the color elementsin the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further, the intensity ofthe color elements may be compared with the intensity of any otherelement (Step 1930). If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step1935), then continue at Step 1950. If elements of the same or similarintensity (Step 1935) are in close proximity to any other element, thenthe elements of higher intensity may be replaced with a dithered surfaceof intensity greater than the intensity of the replaced color (Step2040). Thus, a light color element on the white background may bechanged to a dithered surface of greater intensity than the originalcolor to make it more visible in the resulting monochrome document.Alternatively and/or additionally, the elements of lower intensity maybe replaced with a dithered surface of intensity lesser than theintensity of the replaced color (Step 2045).

Alternatively, the elements of higher intensity may be replaced with adithered surface of intensity lesser than the intensity of the replacedcolor and/or the elements of lower intensity may be replaced with adithered surface of intensity greater than the intensity of the replacedcolor. However, this may distort the document more than the coloroptimization described in Steps 2040 and 2045.

If the elements are of the same intensity, they (or one, or some ofthem) may be replaced with the dithered surfaces of greater or lesserintensity than the original colors randomly or based on the additionalrules.

Alternatively, the color elements may be replaced with monochromepatterns. The monochrome patterns may be of equal or different intensitycompared to the original colors.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be replaced with a dithered surface or a monochromepattern.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

Examples of the documents that could be created using the describedmethod are shown in FIGS. 3, 10, 11, and 16. In FIG. 3 two coloredelements of the original document were replaced with dithered surfacesof greater and lesser intensity than the original colors and the thirdelement was dithered using conventional methods. In FIG. 10 the coloredtext was replaced with a dithered surface of greater intensity than theoriginal color. In FIG. 11 the colored text was replaced with a ditheredsurface of lesser intensity than the original color. In FIG. 16 thecolored text and the colored background were replaced by monochromepatterns.

Another method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 21. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). If there are nocolor elements (Step 1910), then the method may be terminated.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined (Step1915). If the color elements are not in close proximity to any otherelement (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the color elements arein close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of the color elementsin the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further, the intensity ofthe color elements may be compared with the intensity of any otherelement (Step 1930). If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step1935), then continue at Step 1950. If elements of the same or similarintensity (Step 1935) are in close proximity to any other element, thenoutline elements of lower intensity with a solid fore color (e.g. black)(Step 2140).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the elements of lower intensity maybe outlined with a solid background color (e.g. white), and/or theelements of higher intensity may be outlined with a solid fore color(e.g. black), and/or the elements of higher intensity may be outlinedwith a solid background color (e.g. white).

Alternatively and/or additionally, if the elements of similar intensityhave intensity less than 0.5 (or another predetermined value) of themaximum intensity (e.g. maximum intensity correlates to color black),then outline one, some, or all of the elements with a color of maximumintensity (e.g. black). Thus, a light color element on the whitebackground may be outlined to make it more visible in the resultingmonochrome document.

Alternatively and/or additionally, if the elements of similar intensityhave intensity greater than 0.5 (or another predetermined value) of themaximum intensity, then outline one, some, or all of the elements with acolor of minimum intensity (e.g. white).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the elements may be outlined withnon-solid lines, e.g. dotted lines, dashed lines, dash-dotted lines,etc.

Optionally, a color optimization process may be performed on thedocument (Step 2145). The color optimization may be performed using themethods described above.

If the elements are of the same intensity, one, some, or all of them maybe chosen randomly or based on the additional rules to be outlined.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be outlined and/or color optimization may be performed.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

Examples of the documents that could be created using the describedmethod are shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 14, and 15. In FIG. 2 a one coloredelement was outlined with a solid black line and two colored elementswere color optimized (replaced with solid colors). In FIG. 4 all coloredelements were outlined, no color optimization was performed. In FIG. 5all colored elements were outlined and two colored elements were coloroptimized (replaced with dithered surfaces of greater or lesserintensity than original colors). In FIG. 14 text was outlined, no coloroptimization was performed. In FIG. 15 text was outlined and replacedwith white color.

Another method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 22. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). If there are nocolor element(s) (Step 1910), then the method may be terminated.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined in thedocument (Step 1915). If the color elements are not in close proximityto any other element (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the colorelements are in close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of thecolor elements in the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further,the intensity of the color elements may be compared with the intensityof any other element. If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step1935), then continue at Step 1950. If the color elements of the same orsimilar intensity (Step 1935) are in close proximity to any otherelement, then measure and compare the surface area of the elements (Step2235). Outline the elements of a smaller surface area with a solid forecolor (e.g. black) (Step 2240).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the elements of a smaller surfacearea may be outlined with a solid background color (e.g. white), and/orthe elements of a larger surface area may be outlined with a solid forecolor (e.g. black), and/or the elements of a larger surface area may beoutlined with a solid background color (e.g. white).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the elements may be outlined withnon-solid lines, e.g. dotted lines, dashed lines, dash-dotted lines,etc.

Optionally, a color optimization process may be performed on thedocument (Step 2145). The color optimization may be performed using themethods described above.

If the elements are of the same surface area, one, some, or all of themmay be chosen randomly or based on the additional rules to be outlined.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be outlined and/or color optimization may be performed.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

The examples of the documents created by the described method are shownin FIGS. 14, 15, 17, and 18. In FIG. 14 text characters, being smallersurface area elements, were outlined, no color optimization wasperformed. In FIG. 15 text characters, being smaller surface areaelements, were outlined and, as part of the color optimization, replacedwith white color. In FIG. 17 text characters, being smaller surface areaelements, were outlined with dashed lines and, as part of the coloroptimization, the background was replaced with a monochrome pattern. InFIG. 18 text characters, being smaller surface area elements, wereoutlined with larger width white color lines.

Another method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 23. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). If there are nocolor elements (Step 1910), then the method may be terminated.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined (Step1915). If the color elements are not in close proximity to any otherelement (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the color elements arein close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of the color elementsin the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further, the intensity ofthe color elements may be compared with the intensity of any otherelement. If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step 1935), thencontinue at Step 1950. If elements of the same or similar intensity(Step 1935) are in close proximity to any other element, then identifyenclosed (surrounded) elements (Step 2335). The enclosed elements aresurrounded by element(s) of another color. Outline the enclosed elementswith a solid fore color (e.g. black) (Step 2340).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the enclosed elements may be outlinedwith a solid background color (e.g. white). Alternatively and/oradditionally, the elements may be outlined with non-solid lines, e.g.dotted lines, dashed lines, dash-dotted lines, etc.

Optionally, a color optimization process may be performed on thedocument (Step 2145). The color optimization may be performed using themethods described above.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be outlined and/or color optimization may be performed.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

Examples of the documents that could be created using the describedmethod are shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 17, and 18. In FIG. 14 textcharacters, being surrounded by the background, were outlined, no coloroptimization was performed. In FIG. 15 text characters, being surroundedby the background, were outlined and, as part of the color optimization,replaced with white color. In FIG. 17 text characters, being surroundedby the background, were outlined with dashed lines and, as part of thecolor optimization, the background was replaced with a monochromepattern. In FIG. 18 text characters, being surrounded by the background,were outlined with larger width white color lines.

Another method of the present invention may include the stepsillustrated in FIG. 24. The presence of a color (or shades of gray)element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905). If there are nocolor elements (Step 1910), then the method may be terminated.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined (Step1915). If the color elements are not in close proximity to any otherelement (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the color elements arein close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of the color elementsin the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further, the intensity ofthe color elements may be compared with the intensity of any otherelement. If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step 1935), thencontinue at Step 1950. If elements of the same or similar intensity(Step 1935) in close proximity to any other element are found, thenidentify text and background elements (Step 2435). Outline the textelements with a solid fore color (e.g. black) (Step 2440).

Alternatively and/or additionally, the text elements may be outlinedwith a solid background color (e.g. white). Alternatively and/oradditionally, the elements may be outlined with non-solid lines, e.g.dotted lines, dashed lines, dash-dotted lines, etc.

Optionally, a color optimization process may be performed on thedocument (Step 2145). The color optimization may be performed using themethods described above.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be outlined and/or color optimization may be performed.

Further, the document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step1950). Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of theremaining color elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

Examples of the documents that could be created using the describedmethod are shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 17, and 18. In FIG. 14 text characterswere outlined, no color optimization was performed. In FIG. 15 textcharacters were outlined and, as part of the color optimization,replaced with white color. In FIG. 17 text characters were outlined withdashed lines and, as part of the color optimization, the background wasreplaced with a monochrome pattern. In FIG. 18 text characters wereoutlined with larger width white color lines.

It is easier to perform color optimization and outlining on textdocuments than on graphics documents because the elements may be moreeasily identified. Thus, the described methods may have extensiveapplicability in Internet Fax technologies, where the sender provides afax service provider with a text document to be faxed.

FIG. 25 illustrates a method for color optimization and/or outlining afax document prior to sending. A document to be faxed may be obtained(Step 2501). The document may be obtained by a fax service provider froma sender via email, software, or a website. The presence of a color (orshades of gray) element(s) in a document may be identified (Step 1905).If there are no color elements (Step 1910), then continue at Step 2555.Otherwise, a distance(s) between the element(s) may be determined (Step1915). If the color elements are not in close proximity to any otherelement (Step 1920), then move to Step 1950. If the color elements arein close proximity (Step 1920), then the intensity of the color elementsin the document may be determined (Step 1925). Further, the intensity ofthe color elements may be compared with the intensity of any otherelement (Step 1930). If the intensity is not the same or similar (Step1935), then continue at Step 1950. If elements of the same or similarintensity (Step 1935) are in close proximity to any other element, thenoptimize and/or outline the elements in the document (Step 2540). Theelements may be optimized and/or outlined as described in the abovemethods.

Alternatively, the intensity of the color element(s) may be comparedwith a predetermined value or a predetermined interval, range, list ofvalues, or any combination thereof. If the intensity of the colorelement is more/less/equal/within range/outside of the range/etc., thenthe element may be outlined and/or color optimization may be performed.

The document may be converted to a monochrome format (Step 1950).Conventional methods may be used for the conversion of the remainingcolor elements to monochrome, such as dithering.

The document may be converted to a fax-compliant format (Step 2555). Thedocument may be converted to TIFF format. The document may be sent usingknown methods (Step 2560). The document may be sent via PSTN andInternet channels.

FIG. 26 illustrates a sample embodiment of an apparatus of the presentinvention. An apparatus 2605 may include Receiving Means 2610,Optimization Means 2615, Conversion Means 2620, and Outputting Means2625. The Receiving Means 2610 may be a set of electronic circuitsdesigned for the purpose of obtaining a document. The Optimization Means2615 may be a set of electronic circuits designed for the purpose ofoptimizing the document using the methods described above. TheConversion Means 2620 may be a set of electronic circuits designed forthe purpose of converting the document to a monochrome format and/or afax-compliant format. The Outputting Means 2625 may be a set ofelectronic circuits designed for the purpose of outputting the document.The Outputting Means 2625 may provide, inter alia, printing and/orsending functionality. Any of the Receiving Means 2610, the OptimizationMeans 2615, the Conversion Means 2620, and the Outputting Means 2625 maybe implemented on the same set of electronic circuits, such as amicroprocessor.

If the document is supplied to the Apparatus 2605 as a hard copy, theReceiving Means 2610 may provide scanning functionality for creating anelectronic document from the hard copy.

The Apparatus 2605 may be a computer, a fax machine, or another deviceprogrammed to perform the methods described above. The Apparatus 2605may be located on a client side (e.g. originator's side) or on a serverside (e.g. fax service provider).

FIG. 27 illustrates a sample embodiment of a system utilizing theapparatus described above. The system may include an Originator 2730, anApparatus 2605, and a Recipient 2735. The Apparatus 2605 is a device asdescribed in FIG. 26. The Originator 2730 may be an individual, adevice, a computer, or any other means that serve as a source of adocument to be processed by the Apparatus 2605. The Originator 2730 iscoupled with the Apparatus 2605 via a Communication Link 2740. TheCommunication Link 2740 may be a computer network connection, atelephonic connection, or a mechanical means, such as loading tray of afax machine. The Recipient 2735 may be an individual, a device, acomputer, or any other means that serve as a destination for thedocument processed by the Apparatus 2605. The Recipient 2735 is coupledwith the Apparatus 2605 via a Communication Link 2745. The CommunicationLink 2745 may be a computer network connection, a telephonic connection,or a mechanical means, such as receiving tray of a fax machine. Thecomputer network connection may be the Internet connection.

The Originator 2730 and the Recipient 2735 may be the same entity, e.g.a user may provide the document for optimization to the Apparatus 2605and receive back the resulting document.

FIG. 28 illustrates a sample embodiment of a software of the presentinvention. A Software 2805 may include Receiving Means 2810,Optimization Means 2815, Conversion Means 2820, and Outputting Means2825. The Receiving Means 2810 may be a set of machine-readableinstructions for obtaining a document. The Optimization Means 2815 maybe a set of machine-readable instructions for optimizing the documentusing the methods described above. The Conversion Means 2820 may be aset of machine-readable instructions for converting the document to amonochrome format and/or a fax-compliant format. The Outputting Means2825 may be a set of machine-readable instructions for outputting thedocument. The Outputting Means 2825 may provide, inter alia, printingand/or sending functionality. Any of the Receiving Means 2810, theOptimization Means 2815, the Conversion Means 2820, and the OutputtingMeans 2825 may be implemented in the same set of machine-readableinstructions.

The Software 2805 may be executed on a computer, a fax machine, oranother device. The Software 2805 may be located on a client side (e.g.originator's side) or on a server side (e.g. fax service provider).

FIG. 29 illustrates a sample embodiment of a system utilizing thesoftware described above. The system may include an Originator 2730, aSoftware 2805, and a Recipient 2735. The Software 2805 is describedabove in FIG. 28. The Originator 2730 may be an individual, a device, acomputer, or any other means that serve as a source of a document to beprocessed by the Software 2805. The Originator 2730 is coupled with theSoftware 2805 via a Communication Link 2940. The Communication Link 2940may be a computer network connection, a telephonic connection, or a userinterface. The Recipient 2735 may be an individual, a device, acomputer, or any other means that serve as a destination for thedocument processed by the Software 2805. The Recipient 2735 is coupledwith the Software 2805 via a Communication Link 2945. The CommunicationLink 2945 may be a computer network connection, a telephonic connection,or a user interface. The computer network connection may be the Internetconnection.

The Originator 2730 and the Recipient 2735 may be the same entity, e.g.a user may provide the document for optimization to the Software 2805and receive back the resulting document.

The described apparatus, software, and systems may provide users withadditional features, such as settings/selection of what type ofoptimization may be performed on a document, parameters foroptimization, preview of optimized document, etc.

The described methods, apparatus, software, and systems may be used fordocument optimization intended for colorblind people.

Other embodiments and uses of this invention will be apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the specificationand practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification andexamples given should be considered exemplary only, and it iscontemplated that the appended claims will cover any other suchembodiments or modifications as fall within the true scope of theinvention.

The elements described in this specification and in the claims in pluralform may also be construed as singular, unless specifically statedotherwise. The elements described in this specification and in theclaims in singular form may also be construed as plural, unlessspecifically stated otherwise.

The Abstract accompanying this specification is provided to enable theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally todetermine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of thetechnical disclosure and is in no way intended for defining,determining, or limiting the present invention or any of itsembodiments.

1. A method for optimization of an electronic document, comprising thesteps of: a) comparing an intensity of a first color element with anintensity of a second color element in an electronic document, b)replacing a color of said first color element with a solid monochromecolor, c) determining an effective surface area of said first colorelement, d) determining an effective surface area of said second colorelement, e) comparing said effective surface area of said first colorelement and said effective surface area of said second color element,and f) comparing said intensity of said first color element to a maximumintensity value, g) comparing said intensity of said second colorelement to said maximum intensity value, and h) if said effectivesurface area of said first color element is larger than said effectivesurface area of said second color element and if said intensity of saidfirst color element is lower than 0.5 of said maximum intensity valueand said intensity of said second color element is lower than said 0.5of said maximum intensity value, then outlining said first color elementusing lines of said maximum intensity value; and if said effectivesurface area of said first color element is not larger than saideffective surface area of said second color element or if said intensityof said first color element is not lower than 0.5 of said maximumintensity value or said intensity of said second color element is notlower than 0.5 of said maximum intensity value, then not performing saidoutlining of said first color element.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid outlining is performed using lines selected from the groupconsisting of solid lines, dotted lines, and dashed lines.
 3. A methodfor optimization of an electronic document, comprising the steps of: a)comparing an intensity of a first color element with an intensity of asecond color element in an electronic document, b) replacing a color ofsaid first color element with a solid monochrome color, c) determiningan effective surface area of said first color element, d) determining aneffective surface area of said second color element, e) comparing saideffective surface area of said first color element and said effectivesurface area of said second color element, and f) comparing saidintensity of said first color element to a maximum intensity value, g)comparing said intensity of said second color element to said maximumintensity value, and h) if said effective surface area of said firstcolor element is smaller than said effective surface area of said secondcolor element and if said intensity of said first color element is lowerthan 0.5 of said maximum intensity value and said intensity of saidsecond color element is lower than said 0.5 of said maximum intensityvalue, then outlining said first color element using lines of saidmaximum intensity value; and if said effective surface area of saidfirst color element is not smaller than said effective surface area ofsaid second color element or if said intensity of said first colorelement is not lower than 0.5 of said maximum intensity value or saidintensity of said second color element is not lower than 0.5 of saidmaximum intensity value, then not performing said outlining of saidfirst color element.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said outlining isperformed using lines selected from the group consisting of solid lines,dotted lines, and dashed lines.
 5. A method for optimization of anelectronic document, comprising the steps of: a) comparing an intensityof a first color element with an intensity of a second color element inan electronic document, b) replacing a color of said first color elementwith a solid monochrome color, c) determining an effective surface areaof said first color element, d) determining an effective surface area ofsaid second color element, e) comparing said effective surface area ofsaid first color element and said effective surface area of said secondcolor element, and f) comparing said intensity of said first colorelement to a maximum intensity value, g) comparing said intensity ofsaid second color element to said maximum intensity value, and h) ifsaid effective surface area of said first color element is larger thansaid effective surface area of said second color element and if saidintensity of said first color element is higher than 0.5 of said maximumintensity value and said intensity of said second color element ishigher than said 0.5 of said maximum intensity value, then outliningsaid first color element using lines of said a minimum intensity value;and if said effective surface area of said first color element is notlarger than said effective surface area of said second color element orif said intensity of said first color element is not higher than 0.5 ofsaid maximum intensity value or said intensity of said second colorelement is not higher than 0.5 of said maximum intensity value, then notperforming said outlining of said first color element.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein said outlining is performed using lines selected fromthe group consisting of solid lines, dotted lines, and dashed lines.